Monday, December 8, 2025

11 protesters face up to 6 years in jail as Georgia begins trial

TBILISI, August 26 – Eleven protesters are facing trial in Tbilisi today on charges of “group violence,” stemming from last year’s pro-EU demonstrations near Parliament. The accused include public figures such as actor Andro Chichinadze and comedian Onise Tskhadadze, among others, all charged under Article 225, Part 2 of Georgia’s Criminal Code—an offense punishable by … Read more

Georgia replaces security chief after just four months

TBILISI, August 25 – Georgia’s ruling party has nominated Mamuka Mdinaradze, a senior lawmaker from Georgian Dream (GD), to lead the State Security Service (SUS), one of the country’s most sensitive institutions. The move follows the abrupt resignation of Anri Okhanashvili, who had only held the post since April. Parliament is expected to confirm the … Read more

Georgia PM: We’re more democratic than some EU states

TBILISI, August 20 – Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says he is ready to challenge what he calls “biased” criticism from European officials, insisting that Georgia has achieved progress that surpasses even some EU and NATO member states. Some EU leaders have suggested sanctions against Georgia, such as withholding visa-free travel rights, if the government fails … Read more

Over half a million Georgians struggle under soaring inflation

TBILISI, August 19 – Inflation in Georgia reached 4.3% in July compared with a year earlier, the highest since mid-2023, with food prices by far the biggest driver. According to the National Bank, food costs rose 10.3% year-on-year, accounting for 3.2 percentage points of the overall inflation rate. Bread, potatoes, sunflower oil, and the country’s … Read more

Two opposition parties agree on joint candidates to ‘take back’ the capital

TBILISI, August 18 – Two Georgian opposition parties, Lelo and For Georgia, have named Irakli Kupradze as their joint candidate for Tbilisi mayor in the October 4 local elections. Giorgi Sharashidze was presented as candidate for chairman of the City Council, while Aleko Elisashvili and Tata Khvedeliani were put forward as deputy mayoral candidates. The … Read more

Georgia’s ruling GD party claims UK involvement in activist training abroad

TBILISI, August 18 – A senior Georgian Dream lawmaker has claimed that Georgian youth are being trained abroad, with alleged backing from the UK, to prepare for violent protests ahead of the country’s October 4 local elections. Irakli Zarkua, chair of parliament’s diaspora committee, told reporters that young activists were being coached in Lithuania, allegedly … Read more

Georgia prepares for elections, opposition calls process a sham

TBILISI, August 18 – Georgia is preparing for nationwide local elections on October 4, but the gap between the government and much of the opposition has rarely looked wider. The Central Election Commission (CEC) says more than 24,000 people applied this month to work in polling stations, with 9,117 vying for leadership roles and over … Read more

Two protesters detained at opposition protest

TBILISI, August 18 – Police in Tbilisi detained two protesters in front of parliament Sunday. Protesters had gathered outside Georgia’s parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, on the 263rd day of a protest launched in response to the disputed election last year, again blocking the central street as part of one of the country’s longest-running demonstrations. Authorities … Read more

Local official arrested over USD 650 bribe for mining rights

TBILISI, August 16 – A local government official in northern Georgia has been arrested after allegedly taking a cash bribe in exchange for mining rights. Investigators say the official, working in Oni municipality, demanded 1,800 lari (about USD 650) from a resident who wanted to extract peat in the area. He was detained on the … Read more